A couple of years ago, I had to stop riding my two "upright" / traditional bikes due to significant pain in my right thumb and left wrist. Whenever there was constant pressure on either one for more than about 5 minutes, it would flare up.

I was fine on my recumbent and my Electra commuter, where the upright riding position and swept back handlebars keep most of the pressure off.

About a month ago, I decided to take my Fuji Absolute 1.0, which is a fairly high level fitness hybrid, out for a spin. I hadn't notice much pain in my wrist for a while, so I wondered if I might be able to ride for a while. Didn't go far, about 8 miles, but I was fine.

Over the past month I've had it out 3 more times. Just on 15-20 mile rides. I take 2 ibuprofen before riding, as that helps keep down the swelling and pain in my thumb. The rides all went well. It was really fun to be back on this bike, as it is my lightest, fastest bike. And it has such a smooth ride. I do have extra cushy, ergonomic grips and bar ends on, which help.

I thought I might never ride it much again, but now I plan to keep it in my rotation.

Yes, gloves do help a bit. I went through a couple dozen different types of gloves, to find the one that had the best padding over a particular spot at the base of my thumb. Most gloves have no padding at the spot where my pain originates.

10-24-11, 04:21 PM

BluesDawg

Great to see you posting again, Tom Bomb! :)

Glad to hear that you are able to enjoy another part of your stable. I remember the long process you went through choosing just the right bike. Don't be a stranger.

10-24-11, 04:38 PM

DnvrFox

I thought you had ridden your 'bent off into the Wisconsin sunset, such as it is. Great news about the DF - in the meantime I have bought a 'bent - just for fun - still ride the DF's.

I have issues with damage to my ulnar nerve that isn't going away and these bad boys ,along with my upright posture and high handle bars, make it possible to ride with no pain or discomfort at all !!!

Good luck on your search.........

10-24-11, 06:11 PM

Louis

Welcome back, T-Bomb.:beer:

10-24-11, 07:09 PM

JanMM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

Yes, gloves do help a bit. I went through a couple dozen different types of gloves, to find the one that had the best padding over a particular spot at the base of my thumb. Most gloves have no padding at the spot where my pain originates.

Yeah, I used to be on a Quest for the Perfect Gloves, when I was riding flatbar hybrids.
Any old gloves, or no gloves at all, are OK when you ride on the dark side.
Good to see you can go from Dark to Light and back again, as you wish.

10-25-11, 10:57 AM

Tom Bombadil

Thanks for the welcome messages. I have been away for a while. May not be a regular again, but hope to check in now & then. This year has been a very hectic one.

My favorite ride is still my RANS Stratus, but it's difficult to transport with my compact cars. I don't use gloves with it at all and can ride for hours.

Good to see some of my old 50+ friends still posting.

10-25-11, 10:59 AM

Tom Bombadil

Of course, if whatever was wrong with my wrist hadn't healed, the gloves wouldn't be the solution. I had tremendous pain in my left wrist anytime I applied pressure to it for a while. Had an MRI and they found nothing. Was told that it was a "roughage" in the joint.

Apparently it went away, or at least subsided.

10-25-11, 11:33 AM

Beverly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

Welcome back, T-Bomb.:beer:

+1

I checked and re-checked the posting date to be sure it wasn't an old post. Welcome back:)

10-25-11, 12:09 PM

Dudelsack

Quote:

Originally Posted by DnvrFox

I thought you had ridden your 'bent off into the Wisconsin sunset, such as it is. Great news about the DF - in the meantime I have bought a 'bent - just for fun - still ride the DF's.

I am very glad you are posting again.

Not to hijack a thread or anything, but I'm shopping for a 'bent as well. What kind of bike did you settle on? If you've already posted about it, I'll try to track it down rather than make you write everything twice.

10-25-11, 12:46 PM

DnvrFox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudelsack

Not to hijack a thread or anything, but I'm shopping for a 'bent as well. What kind of bike did you settle on? If you've already posted about it, I'll try to track it down rather than make you write everything twice.

Posted here and in the recumbent forum. A Sun Super Cruiser bought "just for fun and variety" at $350.00.

I checked and re-checked the posting date to be sure it wasn't an old post. Welcome back:)

Did the Same

You were missed Tom. Keep posting.

10-25-11, 01:41 PM

Tom Bombadil

Denver, which Sun did you get? That thread says it was an EZ-1 Super Cruiser, but in this thread you are saying it is a Sun Easy Rider. Those are two different bents. One of my bents is the Sun EZ-Rider, which has a shock absorber in the frame, and uses somewhat high end components, like SRAM X.9 derailleurs and Avid BB disc brakes.

10-25-11, 02:55 PM

Dudelsack

Quote:

Originally Posted by DnvrFox

Posted here and in the recumbent forum. A Sun easy-rider bought "just for fun and variety" at $350.00.

Thanks for the link. It is a veritable cornucopia of information which I desperately need. I have my eye on a Bachetta Giro ATT, which is the only 'bent I've ridden so far. I liked it. Wish it were not so pricey.

10-25-11, 04:23 PM

DnvrFox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

Denver, which Sun did you get? That thread says it was an EZ-1 Super Cruiser, but in this thread you are saying it is a Sun Easy Rider. Those are two different bents. One of my bents is the Sun EZ-Rider, which has a shock absorber in the frame, and uses somewhat high end components, like SRAM X.9 derailleurs and Avid BB disc brakes.

Oops!!

As you noticed, I am not an expert on bents. Super Cruiser - the plain jane model

10-25-11, 04:52 PM

CrankyFranky

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

... Had an MRI and they found nothing. Was told that it was a "roughage" in the joint.

I've got similar issues, but with my left ankle/right knee. Doctors all shrug, say "you're getting older...". It comes in waves, for weeks at a time, then subsides, but never goes away. Eat "vitamin I", stay off pressure points and aggrivating motions, still not much relief. Odd thing is for me, even though these things hurt and hurt a little more when I use them, overall I still find it better to not avoid the motions. Oh well...
Keep on checking in, Tom! As a member of the AWOL brain club, we need all the help we can get.